GREENVILLE, S.C. – Furman's Albert Velikonja and Tessa Walter have been named the Southern Conference Men's and Women's Cross Country Runner of the Week, respectively, following all competition held October 15-21. 

The Paladins closed out the regular season with a visit to Wisconsin for the Nuttycombe Invitational. The Furman squads each placed 26th in their respective fields, but this week's honorees both had strong performances among a national-caliber field.  

Walter placed 32nd with a time of 20:28.4 to claim her third weekly honor of the season.  The Paladin newcomer has the top 6k time in the conference this season.  The Furman women are 13th in the USTFCCCA's latest southeast regional poll. 

Velikonja placed 37th with a time of 23:52.1 in the men's 8k to lead the Paladins.  The Furman graduate student and teammates are currently ranked seventh in the southeast region by USTFCCCA.  

Furman will now look to defend its team title at the 2025 Ingles Southern Conference Championship on November 1. 

2025 Southern Conference Men's Cross Country Runner of the Week  
Sept. 3 - Chris Knight, Furman 
Sept. 10 - No Competition 
Sept. 17 - Jason Bowers, ETSU  
Sept. 24 - Jason Bowers, ETSU 
Oct. 1 - Chris Knight, Furman 
Oct. 8 - Jason Bowers, ETSU  
Oct. 15 – No Nominations 
Oct. 22 – Albert Velikonja, Furman 

2025 Southern Conference Women's Cross Country Runner of the Week  
Sept. 3 -  Tessa Walter, Furman 
Sept. 10 - No Competition  
Sept. 17 - Nichole Harris, Mercer 
Sept. 24 - Julia Visgueiro, ETSU  
Oct. 1 - Tessa Walter, Furman 
Oct. 8 – Mary Grace Parker, Mercer 
Oct. 15 – Kate Bannigan, Furman 
Oct. 22 – Tessa Walter, Furman